This study examined the differential effect of age on coping and psychological measures among immigrants from Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to Israel. Some of these immigrants originated in the Republics adjacent to the Chernobyl Power Plant, site of the 1986 accident. The sample consisted of 708 immigrants who were interviewed between the years 1993-1995 with an average age of 47.5 (sd 11.8). This sample was reinterviewed approximately a year and three months later (n = 520). The sample included two exposure groups--high exposed and low exposed based on the estimated levels of ground cesium contamination from the IAEA maps and a comparison group matched by age, gender, and year of immigration. Those over the age of sixty-five were disadvantaged, compared to those aged fifty to sixty-four, and younger, when it came to the tasks of immigrant absorption; learning the language, working and acquiring an income, and establishing alternative social networks which could offer support in times of illness. The psychological variables showed that over time, somatization, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms related to Chernobyl improved, however at a much slower pace for older immigrants (aged 55 and over) compared to younger ones.
This study's aim is the comparison of group processes' development assessments among group members, direct observers, and indirect observers. The research population includes 50 heart patients, who participated in 7 support groups of 10 meetings each, and 35 social work students, who observed the groups. Data was obtainedfrom participants and observers through the Group Environment Scale (GES) and through a social support questionnaire, completed at three stages of the intervention: following the fourth, seventh, andfinal group meetings. Exceptfor the self-discovery variable, no other significant differences were found among the assessors. The main conclusion is that it is possible to place most of the burden of grading group processes in the hands of direct and/or indirect observers and to save the participants from this task. This conclusion is importantfor studies dealing with the efficacy of groups-especially when researching the connection between group processes and group outcomes.
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